Smart Growth Program

The healthier a community, the better the environment for REALTORS®. Keeping a community attractive, livable, and functioning well is a complex task. Who better to be stewards of their community than REALTORS®? Whether your community is grappling with transportation and land use issues, crowded schools, or open space, or working to bring vacant properties back to productive use, NAR’s Smart Growth program has resources to help you and your association plant seeds that will pay dividends for years to come.

Resources

Short-Term Rental Housing Restrictions White Paper

In several areas around the country, local governments are seeking to regulate short-term rental housing in various ways. This white paper, prepared by NAR consultant Robinson & Cole LLP, analyzes the issues raised by these different regulatory approaches; provides Realtors® with ways to address these issues, and outlines "best practices" approaches to short-term rental housing that Realtors® can use in discussing the issue with local government officials.

Community Preference Survey Findings Released

NAR's 2011 Community Preference Survey explores Americans' wants regarding neighborhood characteristics such as proximity to parks and shopping, walkability, and commuting time, and the trade-offs in home type and size that people may be willing to accept in order to obtain those neighborhood preferences

Water Infrastructure Toolkit

This Toolkit offers a grounding in the basic issues of water infrastructure and points to further resources for those wanting to delve deeper into particular aspects. The information can help REALTORS® be strong advocates for the water rights of their customers and be community leaders proactive in finding solutions to infrastructure challenges.

Transportation Toolkit

This toolkit contains 14 papers addressing topics relevant to today's transportation concerns. The National Association of Realtors® believes that transportation is a vitally important issue to communities and to the real estate industry. Also includes a glossary of terms, frequently asked questions and NAR's official policy.

Public Schools Toolkit

Schools are an important factor in a community's quality of life and are, therefore, an important factor in the business of real estate. NAR has produced this toolkit to help REALTORS® enhance their knowledge and understanding of the public school system so they can become involved in improving their schools and communities.

Smart Growth & Sustainability Initiatives State Report

The Smart Growth & Sustainability Initiatives State Report is a national report on state legislation and state administrative-level initiatives that concern sustainable design and development and smart growth issues. The Report provides a state-by-state summary and analysis of legislative proposals and administrative actions to address sustainability issues and smart growth principles.

Smart Growth Program Toolkit

Smart growth is not a short-term challenge and there is no single solution that fits all communities. Communities want to grow and prosper, but that growth, if it puts a strain on community services, could actually reduce prosperity and quality of life. This toolkit provides strategies that Realtors® can use to help build a stronger community for the long run.